Chest protector including internal heat dispersion channels

ABSTRACT

A chest protector includes rows of padding protruding inwardly from a base section. The pads are arranged to rest against the body of a wearer. Ventilation channels are located between neighboring rows of padding to provide multiple paths for heat dispersion. The rows of padding are able to flex relative to one another such that the chest protector may conform to the body of the wearer.

BACKGROUND

Chest protectors, such as those worn by baseball catchers, traditionallyhave external padding for absorbing impact from pitched balls, opposingplayers, and so forth. The chest protectors are typically made from arelatively flexible material into which the padding is sewn. The paddingoften is in the form of a series of blocks arranged in rows. The paddingis typically secured to a relatively flat, flexible base, which restsagainst the torso of the wearer. The padding may extend over theshoulders of the wearer to offer additional protection. Straps arecommonly included on the chest protector for securing it around thesides and back of the wearer.

While many existing chest protectors have been effective at protectingwearers from impact-related injuries, they typically are not wellventilated. As a result, when chest protectors are worn in very warm orhumid conditions, such as during summer baseball games played in warmclimates, wearers often are uncomfortable and can become overheated.

SUMMARY

A chest protector includes rows of padding protruding inwardly from abase section. The pads are arranged to rest against the body of awearer. Ventilation channels are located between neighboring rows ofpadding to provide multiple paths for heat dispersion. The rows ofpadding are able to flex relative to one another such that the chestprotector may conform to the body of the wearer. Other features andadvantages will appear hereinafter. The features described above can beused separately or together, or in various combinations of one or moreof them.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, wherein the same reference number indicates the sameelement throughout the views:

FIG. 1 is a front-perspective view of a chest protector, according toone embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a rear-perspective view of the chest protector shown in FIG.1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of Section A-A of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the invention will now be described. Thefollowing description provides specific details for a thoroughunderstanding and enabling description of these embodiments. One skilledin the art will understand, however, that the invention may be practicedwithout many of these details. Additionally, some well-known structuresor functions may not be shown or described in detail so as to avoidunnecessarily obscuring the relevant description of the variousembodiments.

The terminology used in the description presented below is intended tobe interpreted in its broadest reasonable manner, even though it isbeing used in conjunction with a detailed description of certainspecific embodiments of the invention. Certain terms may even beemphasized below; however, any terminology intended to be interpreted inany restricted manner will be overtly and specifically defined as suchin this detailed description section.

Where the context permits, singular or plural terms may also include theplural or singular term, respectively. Moreover, unless the word “or” isexpressly limited to mean only a single item exclusive from the otheritems in a list of two or more items, then the use of “or” in such alist is to be interpreted as including (a) any single item in the list,(b) all of the items in the list, or (c) any combination of items in thelist.

Turning now in detail to the drawings, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in oneembodiment, a chest protector 10 includes a forward-facing base section12. The base section 12 preferably is made of a flexible material, suchas nylon or another suitable material. A plurality of inwardlyprotruding pads 16 are attached to the base section 12. The pads 16 mayoptionally protrude forward from the base section 12, as well. The pads16 are preferably covered by a flexible material, such as nylon oranother suitable material. The pads may be made of a foam material, suchas “memory foam,” or of any other material suitable for absorbing impactand protecting the wearer.

The rearward-facing pads 16 are preferably aligned in rows, which arespaced apart from one another by heat dispersion or ventilation channels18. The relative spacing of the rows allows pads in neighboring rows toflex relative to one another. As used herein, the term “row” may referto a linear series of pads 16, or to a curved or non-linear series ofpads 16. When worn as intended, the pads 16 engage or rest against thefront torso of the wearer. Accordingly, when the wearer moves or bends,the rows of pads 16 can flex to accommodate the wearer's movements.

The base section 12 optionally includes padded upper regions 24configured to extend over a wearer's shoulders toward the back of thewearer. The upper regions 24 are preferably sewn or otherwise fixedlyattached to a rear or back section 26 that engages the rear torso of thewearer when the chest protector 10 is worn as intended. The back section26 optionally includes padding for providing additional comfort to thewearer.

The back section 26 preferably is attached, directly or indirectly, toone or more adjustable straps 28, or other suitable connectors, havingattachment elements 30 at their free or distal ends. In one embodiment,the back section 26 is attached, directly or indirectly (e.g., via anadjustable strap 25), to a harness 27 that supports the one or moreadjustable straps 28. The harness 27, for example, may include openingsthrough which the one or more adjustable straps 28 pass, as shown inFIG. 1. The adjustable straps 28 are optionally made of an elasticmaterial, such as nylon or spandex, such that they are stretchable underloading conditions and able to return to their original lengths when theload is removed.

One or more receiving elements 32 are preferably attached, directly orindirectly (e.g., via straps), to lower side regions of the chestprotector, for receiving the attachment elements 30. Alternatively, theattachment elements 30 may be attached to the lower side regions of thechest protector and the receiving elements 32 may be attached to theadjustable straps 28. A wearer may don the chest protector 10 by pullingit over his or her head, such that the upper regions 24 rest on thewearer's shoulders and the back section 26 rests against the back of thewearer. The wearer may then insert the attachment elements 30 into thecorresponding receiving elements 32. If necessary, the wearer (oranother person) may tighten or loosen the adjustable straps 28 toprovide a proper, secure fit. Any other suitable connecting mechanismsor fastening elements may of course be used to secure the chestprotector 10 to the wearer.

When the adjustable straps 28 are adequately tightened, the flexiblerows of pads 16 conform well to the front and sides of a wearer's torso,while providing heat dispersion channels between the neighboring rows.In a conventional chest protector, conversely, a relatively flat basepad rests against the wearer's body but does not conform particularlywell to the wearer's torso and does not provide heat dispersion channelsalong the wearer's torso. Thus, the chest protector 10 described hereinbetter allows for heat dispersion from a wearer's body, which allows thewearer to remain cooler in warm playing conditions.

Additional padding may optionally be permanently or removably attachedto the chest protector 10. Shoulder pads or upper arm pads, for example,may be removably attached to upper regions of the base section 12 viahook and loop fastening material or via any other suitable connectors.Including removable pads provides a catcher with the option to remove,for example, a pad that would otherwise protect the catcher's throwingshoulder, thus providing increased freedom of movement when throwing aball. Alternatively, a catcher could remove a pad that would otherwiseprotect the catcher's non-throwing shoulder, thus providing increasedfreedom of movement when reaching for a pitched, batted, or thrown ball.Other additional pads may optionally be included to protect variousregions of the wearer's body.

Chest protectors having inwardly protruding padding for engaging awearer's body and providing heat dispersion channels, as describedherein, may be used in many applications. For example, such a protectorcould be used as a catcher's chest protector, an umpire's chestprotectors, a lacrosse player's chest protector, a motocross rider'schest protector, and so forth. For some applications, additional paddingmay be added to the back or the sides of the protector to provideadditional protection.

Any of the above-described embodiments may be used alone or incombination with one another. Furthermore, the chest protector mayinclude additional features not described herein. While severalembodiments have been shown and described, various changes andsubstitutions may of course be made, without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention. The invention, therefore, should not belimited, except by the following claims and their equivalents.

1. A chest protector, comprising: a base section; a plurality of rows ofpads protruding inwardly from the base section, wherein the rows of padsare spaced apart from one another by a plurality of ventilationchannels; and means for securing the base section to a wearer such thatthe rows of inwardly protruding pads engage the front torso of thewearer.
 2. The chest protector of claim 1 further comprising a rearsection attached to an upper region of the base section, wherein themeans for securing comprises: at least one strap directly or indirectlyattached to the rear section; an attachment element attached to thestrap; and a receiving element directly or indirectly attached to a sideregion of the base section.
 3. The chest protector of claim 2 whereinthe rear section is directly or indirectly attached to a harness thatsupports the at least one strap.
 4. The chest protector of claim 3wherein the harness includes at least one opening through which the atleast one strap passes.
 5. The chest protector of claim 2 wherein the atleast one strap includes two ends each attached to an attachmentelement, and wherein a corresponding receiving element is directly orindirectly attached to each of two side regions of the base section. 6.The chest protector of claim 2 wherein the at least one strap is made ofan elastic, stretchable material.
 7. The chest protector of claim 1further comprising at least one upper arm pad removably connected to thebase section.
 8. The chest protector of claim 1 wherein the base sectionincludes padded upper regions configured to extend over a wearer'sshoulders toward the back of the wearer.
 9. A chest protector,comprising: an outwardly facing base section; a plurality of rows ofpads protruding inwardly from the base section and arranged to engagethe front torso of a wearer, wherein the rows of pads are spaced apartfrom one another by a plurality of heat dispersion channels; a rearsection attached to an upper region of the base section; at least onefirst fastening element attached directly or indirectly to a sideportion of the base section; at least one second fastening element,configured to engage the first fastening element, attached directly orindirectly to the rear section.
 10. The chest protector of claim 9further comprising at least one strap directly or indirectly attached tothe rear section, wherein the second fastening element is attached tothe strap.
 11. The chest protector of claim 10 further comprising aharness directly or indirectly attached to the rear section, wherein theat least one strap is supported by the harness.
 12. The chest protectorof claim 11 wherein the at least one strap includes two ends eachattached to a second fastening element, and wherein a correspondingfirst fastening element is directly or indirectly attached to each oftwo side portions of the base section.
 13. The chest protector of claim10 wherein the at least one strap is made of an elastic, stretchablematerial.
 14. The chest protector of claim 9 further comprising at leastone upper arm pad removably connected to the base section.
 15. The chestprotector of claim 9 wherein the upper region of the base sectionincludes padding and extends over a wearer's shoulders toward the backof the wearer.
 16. A chest protector, comprising: a base sectionincluding upper regions configured to rest on a wearer's shoulders; aplurality of pads protruding inwardly from the base section and arrangedto engage the front torso of the wearer, wherein the pads are spacedapart from one another by a plurality of ventilation channels; a rearsection connected to the upper regions of the base section andconfigured to engage the rear torso of the wearer; at least one strapdirectly or indirectly attached to the rear section; at least onefastening element attached to the at least one strap; at least onereceiving element attached directly or indirectly to the base sectionfor receiving the at least one fastening element.
 17. The chestprotector of claim 16 further comprising a harness directly orindirectly attached to the rear section, wherein the at least one strapis supported by the harness.
 18. The chest protector of claim 17 whereinthe at least one strap includes two ends each attached to a fasteningelement, and wherein a corresponding receiving element is directly orindirectly attached to each of two side regions of the base section. 19.The chest protector of claim 16 wherein the at least one strap is madeof an elastic, stretchable material.
 20. The chest protector of claim 16further comprising at least one upper arm pad removably connected to thebase section.